John Louis “Jack” Loughlin

Mar 31, 1932 – Apr 28, 2018With great love and gratitude in our hearts, we stood alongside our beloved Dad and Papa as he peacefully took his last breaths on April 28, 2018. Though he had a late, short-lived diagnosis of lung cancer, Dad pretty much wore himself out from a life well-lived. He was contentedly full of a calm joy, fabulous memories, great stories, sincere appreciation and immense pride in his family.

Predeceased in 2015 by his adoring wife of 57 years, Margaret, they both leave as their most valued legacy their children Sandra (Stew), Brian (Sheryl), Barry (Benita) and Susan; and their eternal light, their grandkids: Samantha (Scott), Jamie (Kristin), Amelia (AJ), Tyler, Camilla, Spencer, Liam and Carlene. Jack had a special place in his heart for his nieces Donna Buskas and Terry Giese, daughters of his only sister Dorothy Ann Purvis (d.2016) (Jim).

Jack was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, March 31, 1932 to Gertrude (McMichael) and Louis James Loughlin. His mother passed that same year; his father raised him and Dorothy in Carberry Manitoba until his death in 1941, whereupon they moved to Viking, Alberta, with their cherished uncle Clem Loughlin (d.1977). Jack met Scottish nurse Margaret Dorward in 1955, then on to Dentistry school at the University of Alberta. Upon graduation, he and Margaret migrated west, marrying in 1958, and setting up a home and dental practice in Abbotsford, BC. Patients referred to Jack affectionately as the “whistling dentist”; he retired from dentistry in 1978 to provide business management for a family farm still maintained in Viking until the late 80’s.

Hockey was a constant love of Jack’s, passed on in part from his Uncle Clem, an NHL oldtimer, and he continued to play and coach his favourite sport. He golfed, and was a Board member with the Fraser Valley Dental Association. Jack and Margaret truly enjoyed their relationship, together joining local curling, dance and wine clubs in earlier years. They appreciated raising their family alongside their “Rosewood” neighbours. Later, they enjoyed RV-ing and took frequent adventures abroad. Music was Jack’s great passion: he was gifted to ‘play by ear’ on the piano or sax and he listened to music endlessly.

A private Celebration of Life will be held by the family. Jack was a kind and generous man, in lieu of flowers, consider simply an act of kindness, or a donation to a charity of your own choosing. You would also honour his memory by continuing to floss.

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